Argentina: A country with many attributes to host radio telescopes

DUBNER, G; GIACANI, E.; ARNAL, E.; LEVATO,H.; MORRAS, R.; REYNOSO,E

Praga

Workshop; Astronomical Facilities for the Nex Decade; 2006

Argentina is participating in the international call for proposals of sites to install the large radio interferometer "Square Kilometre Array" (SKA). The process of site selection involved the preparation and submission of many studies to characterize the properties of the potential sites: from electromagnetic pollution (radio frequency interferences, RFI) to tropospheric conditions, including land costs, climatic issues, topography, national regulations, etc. In this work we will summarize the many attributes that make Argentina an ideal place in the world to install radio telescopes. Briefly, we will show the advantages of an excellent site located near the Andes ridge at an altitude of ~2650 m above sea level, within the borders of an Astronomical Protected Reserve. The site offers an almost ideal overlap for simultaneous observations with all the large telescopes in Northern Chile and the extra bonus of the Galactic Centre almost culminating at the zenith. The existence of good infrastructure (roads, power supply, telecommunications, either existing, under construction, or planned for the near future), together with low land prices, low operating costs, highly skilled workforce and a well established astronomical community, will be described. In addition to this site, there are other places within the country adequate for the installation of radio telescopes. We will explain the strong support for incoming astronomical projects provided by the highest level of both National and Provincial Governments, including regulatory issues for RFI protection.